sySTEMic flow | Supporting BIPOC girls in STEM

The Challenge

A math gap mirroring racial inequities in schools continues to widen in the United States. Racial and economic inequality remains present in schools serving predominantly BIPOC students. Many inner-city schools that serve BIPOC students are under-resourced due to the lack of funding, which resulted from decades of segregated learning and disinvestments in redlined neighborhoods where Black people lived. These schools have limited access to skilled teachers who can deliver the content and access to quality curriculum and coursework. Many cultural influences are often overlooked, such as increasing access to technology, providing programs in various languages, designing curricula to support students with intellectual disabilities, and advocating for gender rights where structural biases play a pivotal role in education. Accessibility and the right to quality education become inequitable. 

Currently, Calculus 1 is not a required math course to graduate in the public school system. However, it is considered a gateway course that many students struggle in once they are in college. As a result,  on average, 40% of Black students and 37% of LatinX students who enter STEM degree seekers end up switching their majors during their second year of college. Despite educational progress over the past several years, high school minority students still lack access to the educational resources that will prepare them for college success. Only about 40 percent of public high schools serving predominantly black students offer physics, and about 33% offer calculus. Additional data gathered from the Department of Education showed that black students are much less likely to access Advanced Placement courses in STEM fields. The correlation between students’ preparation for STEM-related jobs and the lack of access to foundational STEM skills puts black students at a more significant disadvantage in preparing for advanced STEM courses in college and future careers in STEM. 

Our Solution

sySTEMic flow aims to deliver educational opportunities to BIPOC students, particularly focusing on providing STEM education to BIPOC girls, to enhance their math knowledge and skills.

sySTEMic flow's holistic model goes beyond the classroom setting and invites socioemotional learning and opportunities to learn about various careers in the STEM industry. They tackle this multifaceted problem through a three-tier process: (1) educating and academically preparing students, (2) engaging students with STEM leaders, and (3) exposing them to various STEM careers. Research shows that combining these three components will empower youth to continue their educational journey, especially those pursuing opportunities in STEM. Jessica Sanon is working with students, schools, and communities to understand their educational needs in math capability and is designing programs that support students' mathematical and cognitive thinking abilities. The organization engages students in semester-style enrichment classes that enhance their metacognitive and creative thinking in math while integrating two guest speakers, two project-based activities, experiential learning, and specialized coaching in advanced math exams. sySTEMic flow focuses on students' individual growth through a flipped classroom and scaffolding approach, which gives them control over what they learn and how they learn. This approach is more student-centered and invites collaboration among peers. Lessons and content are provided in multiple ways, allowing students to deepen their understanding in a way that works for them. This model offers all students an equal opportunity to learn, self-learn, encourage peer learning and gain confidence in various mathematical concepts.

What We Do

Since 2019, sySTEMic flow has engaged with 88 students in several of its programs and worked with 11 community partners to effectively deliver these programs. This work has expanded in four states, two countries (including the U.S.), and ten cities/towns. We plan to expand their current model to explore the following that can mitigate students' overall journey in obtaining higher levels of education.

In their programming, sySTEMic flow has made it their mission to intentionally bring in BIPOC women to talk about their lived experiences in their STEM journey and uses that to encourage girls to explore the multitudinous opportunities that a STEM career can offer.  Through this workshop model approach, we assist students in their transition gap from high school to college that tackles their academic and social aptitude. sySTEMic flow is designed to not only supplement their learning but give them a glimpse of how school, work, and life are interconnected. This model seeks to not only decrease the education opportunity gap, but also increase the diversity and inclusion efforts within the STEM industry.

STEM Programs

• Our STEM Programs engages 3rd-8th grade students (virtually or in-person) in project-based activities that will further their knowledge and spark their interest in STEM, specifically the interaction between math and science. Students will receive a STEM kit filled with materials to conduct 4-6 STEM-related activities and a booklet filled with instructors. We will expand this by creating stem kits for educators to use in the classroom.

Online Math Institute Program

• Our Online Math Institute program supports students in math learning and refresh lessons and dive deeper into math, perfect for students who may be struggling or just in need of honing their skills. We provide a variety of courses that are open to rising 5th-12th grade students.

Expanding the Get AHEAD Program

• We provide consultant support for schools to engage students in semester-style enrichment classes over a 13-week course that enhances their creative thinking in math while integrating speaker events, project-based activities, experiential learning, and specialized coaching in advanced math exams. Through this workshop model approach, we assist our students in their transition gap from high school to college that tackles our students' academic and social aptitude.

My STEM Story Panel Series

• My STEM Story panel events aim to inspire and encourage young BIPOC women to pursue STEM-related degrees and careers. Often, we do not hear the voices and stories of Women of Color in an industry that needs to be disrupted. This events are done quarterly and typically spotlights 2-3 BIPOC women.

How Can You Help?

With your help, we can support individuals, families, and schools for any of the following services/programs: 

1. Sponsor a 4-5 week STEM Program at a local elementary or middle school

2. Purchase STEM materials for students in our STEM project-based Programs

3. Purchase 10 TI Calculators for our Calculator Scholarship Program  

4. Cover the tuition cost for students applying for our Online Math Institute Program

5. Sponsor a Get AHEAD Program at a local high school

Our Vision

At sySTEMic flow, we believe that math education is the foundational learning in all STEM career paths and interests. We welcome anyone passionate about supporting young Black girls in STEM education and increasing their economic mobility in life. We believe that if young black women aren't educated and encouraged to think that they can enter any career throughout their educational experiences, this systemic problem of latent racism and lack of educational access will continue….. some may say we can't afford to invest in our female youth, sySTEMic flow says "you can't afford to."